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LAWRENCE – Cinematographer and University of Kansas alumnus Ward Russell will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Department of Film and Media Studies this week at their annual award ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Liberty Hall. The ceremony is open to the public.

“Ward Russell is the consummate Hollywood professional, master of stylish photography in the industry and immensely collegial to the profession and to the students,” said John Tibbetts, associate professor of film and media studies. “Add Ward to the list of many motion picture professionals on either side of the camera who not only make KU proud, but keep contacts with the department and the students.”

Russell is best known for his work on the films “Days of Thunder,” “The Last Boy Scout” and “X-Files, the Movie.” He now adapts his Hollywood art to the world of photography through WARD RUSSELL Photography and Brite Lite Productions. Russell has photographed countless fashion, food and lifestyle advertisements, television commercials and celebrities throughout his career.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to recognize important contributions in film and media studies in the span of a career. Russell is the third recipient of this award. The previous have been awarded posthumously to Russell A. Mosser and Bill Gilbert.

The Department of Film & Media Studies is one of four departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies.